U-Pick Citrus

Today we went on a wonderful field trip to one of THE last U-Pick Citrus Farms in Southwest Florida!!

It is owned and run by a couple by the name of Johnson. Judy and Bob began planting there 10-acre grove in 1980. Bob planted all 3,000 trees himself, from seed! Unfortunately they lost that initial crop to frost. But that did not stop him. He has had a thriving business for many years that also helps support local needy people.

 Each season they donate 12,000 pounds of fruit to the Harry Chapin Food Bank and they also work with churches in their area to help feed hungry children.

They also sell some local wild flower honey from their nieghbor's bee farm down the road.

Their barn is an eclectic mix of antiques, Bob's sign and license plate collection and the supplies he needs to run the farm.

The grove is open from November to May. The location is:
 18971 Misty Morning Lane, Ft. Myers, FL.
Email address is: upickcitrus@netzero.net
Phone: 239-657-4996

Judy and Bob were a delight and they were so wonderful to our homeschool group. The children had just as much fun playing with their dog and cat as they did picking the oranges and tangerines. The older two children were there as well but I didn't get a good photo of them...bummer!

I bought almost 60 lbs of citrus!!! You can imagine how much fresh juice we will be getting from that! And how wonderful the juice will be in our morning green smoothies.

 And I am happy to say that they do not use any pesticides on their fruit! Grazing in the grove is free and they allow you to taste from the tree before you pick so you can select the fruit that is right for your individual taste. How great is that!!

Thank you Bob and Judy for allowing us to spend the day at your lovely home/grove. It was a splendid day and we had so much fun.

How about a green smoothie recipe with fresh squeezed Honey Tangerine juice:

I juiced several of the Honey Tangerines and added the juice to a blender full of raw sunflower seeds, freshly ground flax, 4 large collard leaves, banana and finally frozen mango and some ice.

U-Pick Green Smoothieby Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com

2 C freshly juiced honey tangerine juice
4 T raw sunflower seeds
3 dates, pitted
3 T freshly ground flax seeds
4 large collard leaves, torn
3 small bananas
2 C frozen mango
1/2 C ice
Blend till creamy and smooth. Enjoy the goodness!

Our oldest son enjoyed a large glass of fresh squeezed Valencia juice with his breakfast--yum!

+JMJ+ Today I am grateful for a day in the sunshine picking fresh citrus with friends and family.

Raw Fruit Tacos

I had to take a break from blogging after Christmas so I could get us back into the groove of our home studies.
Now that we are back in the groove I thought it would be time to get creative in the raw kitchen again.
I came up with this recipe for lunch today and wanted to share it with you.
I made Raw Fruit Tacos.
Here is my taco filling

And here are my shells

Raw Fruit Tacos
by Elizabeth @ rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com

4 Campari tomatoes, diced
3 small peppers, one red, one yellow and one orange; diced
2 scallions, greens only;diced
2 kiwi, diced
3 small pitted dates, diced
a sprinkling of ground cumin

Raw Taco Shells: Organic Romaine hearts, cut into 1/3's if large

Mix ingredients in a bowl, scoop onto your raw taco shells ( romaine heart leaves) and enjoy!

+JMJ+ Today I am grateful for a fresh new outlook for the fresh New Year. Happy Raw New Year!

10 Days 100% Simply Raw Day 10

Meal #1 Dandy Orange Mango Smoothie

 Dandy Orange Mango Smoothie
by Elizabeth @ Rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com

7 organic dandelion greens
8 oz frozen organic mango chunks
juice of 3 oranges
1 C ice
3 T white chia seeds
1/4 C raw pumpkin seeds

Blend in high speed blender until creamy. Enjoy!

Meal # 2 Snacking on random stuff

• Organic celery sticks
• Radishes
• Clementines
• Sprouts

Meal # 3 Yet Another Smoothie

It is a great day when I can enjoy two smoothies!!!

Raspberry Kale Smoothie
by Elizabeth @ Rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com

4 C curly green kale
3 bananas
1/4 C raw pumpkin seeds
3 T white chia seeds
10 oz frozen organic raspberries
1 C filtered water
1/2 C ice

Blend until creamy. Enjoy!

+JMJ+ Today I am grateful for my children patiently awaiting the count down to Christmas season which begins on the 25th and culminates on the Baptism of the Lord, January 9th.
Have a Blessed Christmas everyone. SO much to be grateful for!!!

10 Days 100% Simply Raw Day 9

Meal #1 Berrylicious Smoothie

Berrylicious Green Smoothie
by Elizabeth @ Rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com

8 oz frozen mixed berries
1/3 C raw pumpkin seeds
1 C filtered water
1 C ice
4 C kale
2 T Hemp oil
3 T white chia seeds
3 bananas
2 Medjool dates
Blend in a high speed blender till creamy. Enjoy!



Meal #2 Sunny Citrus Carrot  Salad

Sunny Citrus Carrot Salad
by Elizabeth @ Rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com

sunflower greens
3 shredded organic carrots
1 Florida navel orange, diced
2 T raw honey gently melted
1 T fresh key lime juice
Rough chop the sunflower greens and place on plate. In the center of the greens, place the shredded carrots. Top the carrots with the diced orange.
Dress salad with raw honey mixed with fresh key lime juice.


Meal #3 Simple Pear Salad

Simple Pear Salad
by Elizabeth @ Rawlivingandlearning.blogspot.com

Organic romaine, chopped
broccoli sprouts
sprouted lentils
1 large pear, diced
handful of fresh or frozen berries of choice
2 tsp Dijon mustard

Place the romaine on a plate, top with the broccoli sprouts, then the diced pear and top with sprouted lentils. To dress the salad, puree a handful of berries and whisk in the Dijon.

+JMJ+ Today I am grateful I got the front porch scrubbed. We are now ready to decorate for Christmas!!